South African Teams Stir Up the Transfer Market Ahead of the 2024/25 URC Season
As the 2024/25 United Rugby Championship (URC) season rapidly approaches, South African rugby clubs are making strategic player moves to bolster their squads for the upcoming campaign and the Currie Cup.
Aphiwe Dyantyi to Join the Bulls
Springboks winger Aphiwe Dyantyi, who has struggled to regain his form following a drug suspension, is on the verge of joining the Bulls. According to reports from South African newspaper Rapport, the 28-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Pretoria-based side and will link up with the team ahead of the Currie Cup. Dyantyi’s arrival will provide much-needed cover for the Bulls, as star players Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie are likely to be away with the Springboks for the Rugby Championship and November internationals. Dyantyi, who was named World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2018, will be looking to revive his career at the Bulls after a tumultuous period.
Sharks Target Lions Prop Ruan Dreyer
The Sharks are reportedly in the market for another Springbok prop, with their sights set on securing the services of Lions tighthead Ruan Dreyer. The Durban-based team is seeking to bolster their front row options, with doubts surrounding the playing future of Coenie Oosthuizen after he sustained a neck injury during the 2023/24 season. Dreyer, who has earned four Test caps for South Africa, has spent the majority of his career with the Lions but did have a spell with Gloucester between 2018 and 2020. The Sharks have already signed Trevor Nyakane from Racing 92 and will be hoping that Dreyer can provide additional depth and experience to their pack.
Stormers Set to Lose Hooker Joseph Dweba
In another South African transfer development, the Stormers are poised to lose Springboks hooker Joseph Dweba to Premiership club Sale Sharks. According to reports, the Cape-based franchise will not be able to match Dweba’s current high salary, as the player is no longer part of SA Rugby’s players of national interest scheme. The Stormers may grant Dweba an early release from his contract to facilitate the move, similar to their handling of the Hacjivah Dayimani transfer.
These transfer stories involving the Bulls, Sharks, and Stormers demonstrate the dynamic nature of the South African rugby landscape as clubs strive to assemble competitive squads for the upcoming URC and Currie Cup campaigns.
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